07.26.06
Lance Bass of ‘N Sync: I’m gay
Lance Bass, one of five members of the multimillion record–selling pop group ‘N Sync, has come out as gay. Amazing Race winner Reichen Lehmkuhl are in a “very stable” relationship.
Bass says he hid his sexuality and declined even to act on it because he feared disclosure would hamper ‘N Sync’s success and thus harm the group’s other four members. “I had four other guys’ careers in my hand,” said Bass, “and I knew that if I ever acted on [my sexuality] or even said [it], it would overpower everything.”
‘N Sync has not recorded or appeared as a group since 2002. That year Bass famously negotiated with the Russian space agency to buy passage on a space flight to the international space station—a deal that fell through when the Russians pulled out. Bass now produces television and film projects; he and Fatone are developing an Odd Couple–like sitcom in which Bass’s character would be gay, Bass told People.
“The thing is, I’m not ashamed,” said Bass, who had already come out to band mates, friends, and what People termed “his shocked family.” “That’s the one thing I want to say…. I’m more liberated and happy than I’ve been my whole life. I’m just happy.”